Tag: Cincinnati Bearcats

Miami (Oh) RedHawks quarterback Brett Gabbert (5) holds the ball between plays during the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Miami RedHawks at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Brett Gabbert leads Miami (Ohio) past Cincinnati in OT

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brett Gabbert threw for three touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime, to lift Miami (Ohio) to a 31-24 victory over host Cincinnati on Saturday night.

Gabbert opened the extra period with a 17-yard rush before finding Joe Wilkins Jr. for an 8-yard score that ended up being the difference.

The Bearcats (2-1) had a first-and-goal at the RedHawks 2 on their ensuing possession, but an ineligible receiver downfield pushed them back to the 7. Cincinnati then worked its way to the 1, but on third down, it was flagged for another costly penalty, as a holding call sent the hosts back to the 11.

Quarterback Emory Jones got 9 of those yards back with a run up the middle, but his pass on fourth down was intercepted, giving the Bearcats their first loss of the season.

Gabbert completed 12 of 20 passes for 237 yards with an interception to go along with his three scores. He also added 132 rushing yards on nine carries.

Javon Tracy finished with three catches for 62 yards and a TD for Miami (2-1), which pulled off the win despite being outgained 538-415.

Jones had 265 yards with two interceptions on 18-of-34 passing while adding 101 yards and a score on the ground on 20 touches. Ryan Montgomery chipped in with 20 carries for 104 yards.

Cincinnati’s Xzavier Henderson led all receivers with 12 catches for 140 yards.

Kevin Davis’ 1-yard plunge into the end zone gave the RedHawks a 21-16 lead with 3:01 left in the third quarter. Jones then capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with his rushing TD, from 17 yards out, before completing a pass to Chamon Metayer for the two-point conversion.

Miami’s Graham Nicholson forced overtime by making a 20-yard field goal with 5:10 remaining in regulation.

The RedHawks opened the game with a bang, as Gabbert connected with Gage Larvadain for a 79-yard scoring strike on the first offensive play of the contest.

Corey Kiner leveled the score with a 4-yard rushing TD with 11:47 left in the first quarter.

The Bearcats got a pair of first-half field goals from Carter Brown, but Gabbert’s 17-yard TD pass to Tracy is what allowed Miami to take a 14-13 lead into the break.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Payten Singletary (88) celebrates a touchdown during the first half aghast the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 9, 2023

Cincinnati seeking 17th straight win over Miami (Ohio)

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The odds are long, which would make the rewards epic if visiting Miami (Ohio) can end its long losing streak against host Cincinnati on Saturday.

Even with 16 consecutive defeats to the Bearcats (2-0) since 2006, the RedHawks (1-1) can still tie the oldest FBS non-league rivalry (since 1888) at 60-60-7 with a win.

Miami’s last win in the Victory Bell series was in 2005 in Oxford, Ohio. Its last victory at Cincinnati was in 2002.

“It would be huge,” Miami linebacker Matt Salopek said of ending the streak. “Obviously, it’s the type of game that helps you as a team and as a player individually.

“Everyone wants to be (part of) a legacy here at Miami and if we’re able to do that, it’s a big momentum shift for us, for Miami football.”

Cincinnati not only has the upper hand among the schools, separated by 45 miles in southwest Ohio, but the Bearcats have been nearly unbeatable at home.

Cincinnati is tied with Clemson for the highest home winning percentage (26-1, 96.3 percent) since the start of 2019.

“We know we’re going to get (Miami’s) best shot,” Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said. “We know it’s a rivalry game. We know what’s at stake. They’re going to play as hard as they possibly can play. Whatever you’ve seen on film, go ahead and elevate that because that’s the way they’ll play.”

Cincinnati is led by former Arizona State (2022) and Florida (2018-21) quarterback Emory Jones. He has a completion percentage of 75.5 for 470 yards with seven touchdowns and an interception.

Cincinnati averages 46.5 points per game, while Miami averages just 22.0.

The RedHawks are coming off an exhausting 41-28 road win at UMass on Saturday, enduring 5 hours, 35 minutes of lightning-related delays. The game was scheduled to begin at 3:32 p.m. It ended at 12:28 a.m. Sunday.

That won’t matter come Saturday.

“Rain, snow, whatever it is, we’re always excited to go down to Nippert (Stadium) and have a chance to beat UC,” Salopek said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Aaron Turner (9) carries the ball on an end around as Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Phillip O'Brien Jr. (5) chases during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Kiner, Cincinnati best Pitt

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Corey Kiner rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries to lead Cincinnati to a 27-21 win over host Pitt on Saturday.

Emory Jones went 18-of-26 passing for 125 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Bearcats (2-0).

Phil Jurkovec completed 10 of 32 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns for the Panthers (1-1).

Cincinnati led 27-7 going into the fourth quarter before the Panthers scored two touchdowns to make it a 27-21 game.

But the Cincinnati defense shut down the Pitt offense from there, and Kiner rushed for a first down with just over a minute remaining to seal the game.

The Bearcats took a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Payten Singletary, and then went up 10-0 with 8:57 left in the first quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Carter Brown.

Pittsburgh cut its deficit to 10-7 with 4:17 left in the first on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jurkovec to Konata Mumpfield, but Cincinnati answered.

The Bearcats drove 76 yards in seven plays and took a 17-7 lead with 13:20 remaining in the second quarter on a 7-yard TD run by Kiner.

Brown then made a 47-yard field goal with five seconds left until halftime to make it 20-7 Cincinnati.

Cincinnati extended its lead to 27-7 with 9:17 left in the third quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Braden Smith.

The Panthers cut into the lead early in the fourth quarter, making it 27-14 thanks to a 9-yard scoring strike from Jurkovec to Mumpfield with 14:48 left.

Pittsburgh then closed to within 27-21 on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Jurkovec to Gavin Bartholomew with 11:53 remaining, a score that was set up by a 60-yard pass from Jurkovec to Bartholomew to start the drive.

Mumpfield finished with four catches for 53 yards and the two scores for Pitt. Smith had five catches for 59 yards and the TD for the Bearcats.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears (22) runs for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 19 Tulane tops No. 24 Cincinnati to reach AAC title game

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Tyjae Spears rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns and No. 19 Tulane defeated host and No. 24 Cincinnati 27-24 to win the American Athletic Conference regular-season title Friday afternoon.

Spears had his sixth consecutive 100-yard rushing game and eclipsed 1,000 yards for the season as the Green Wave (10-2, 7-1) earned the host spot in the AAC championship game Dec. 3.

Michael Pratt added a 30-yard touchdown pass to Duece Watts that provided the winning points with 5:10 left.

Evan Prater made his first start at quarterback for Cincinnati (9-3, 6-2) in place of injured Ben Bryant. Prater completed 10 of 26 for 102 yards and an interception as the two-time defending conference champion Bearcats saw their 32-game home winning streak end.

Tulane notched the first turnover of the game in the third quarter when Dorian Williams snared a tipped pass from Prater at the Cincinnati 40.

The Green Wave converted a fourth and 3 from the 6 when the Bearcats were called for pass interference. On the next play Spears ran 2 yards for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.

On the ensuing possession Cincinnati converted a fourth and 1 on its way to Ryan Montgomery’s 8-yard touchdown run that trimmed the lead to 20-17 at the end of the third.

The Bearcats converted two fourth downs on its way to Montgomery’s 15-yard touchdown run that briefly gave them their first lead at 24-20 with 6:27 left.

The Green Wave needed just three plays to set up Pratt’s game-winner to Watts.

Valentino Ambrosio kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 3-0 Tulane lead that held up through the end of the first quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, Ryan Coe kicked a 28-yard field goal that tied the score.

Spears ran 11 yards for the game’s first touchdown, giving the Green Wave a 10-3 lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Bearcats’ Charles McClelland ran 35 yards for a tying touchdown.

Ambrosio kicked a career-long 47-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to give Tulane a 13-10 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Temple Owls wide receiver Jose Barbon (10) is tackled by Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Arquon Bush (9) after a catch during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

No. 25 Cincinnati uses big plays early to bury Temple

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Ben Bryant and Tre Tucker hooked up for an early 42-yard touchdown pass as No. 25 Cincinnati rolled over host Temple 23-3 on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Ryan Montgomery added a TD run for the Bearcats (9-2, 6-1 American Athletic Association), who sit in a first-place tie with Tulane with one week left in the regular season.

Bryant went 9 of 18 for 130 yards without a turnover before leaving with a foot injury in the second quarter. Evan Prater came on and completed 12-of-17 passes for 127 yards while also playing turnover-free football.

The Owls (3-8, 1-6), meanwhile, committed four turnovers and were outgained 388-202 on the day. E.J. Warner went 21 of 36 for 167 yards with two interceptions, while Temple failed to gain more than nine yards on any of its 19 rushing attempts.

Cincinnati suffocated Temple in the first half, holding the Owls to 106 total yards, including seven yards on nine rushes.

Temple punted on its first three possessions before the Bearcats opened the scoring on Bryant’s 42-yard TD bomb to Tucker, who snuck behind two defenders for the score with 1:19 to play in the first quarter.

Edward Saydee fumbled on the Owls’ next play, and the Bearcats recovered. Three plays later, Montgomery slipped through the teeth of the Temple defense for a 14-yard TD run.

Cincinnati tacked on a 28-yard field goal by Ryan Coe on its next possession to take a 17-0 lead with 9:55 remaining until halftime. About 1 1/2 minutes later, Temple got on the board with a field goal of its own — a 43-yarder by Camden Price.

Coe accounted for all the second-half scoring with a 37-yard field goal midway through the third quarter and a 24-yard boot early in the fourth.

The Owls only possessed the ball four times in the second half. Those trips ended in two punts, an interception and a fumble.

Montgomery finished with 14 carries for 58 yards, while Tucker secured four receptions for 78 yards. Tight end Josh Whyle led the Bearcats with seven catches, totaling 70 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Charles McClelland (10) runs with the ball against the South Florida Bulls in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 20 Cincinnati, UCF try to tamp down ‘self-inflicted’ errors

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No. 20 Cincinnati has passed all its tests since a season-opening loss at Arkansas, but it has not always been pretty.

Next up, the Bearcats will face perhaps their toughest test since Week 1 on Saturday when they travel to Orlando to take on UCF.

A week after rallying to beat South Florida 28-24 on Oct. 8, Cincinnati (6-1, 3-0 AAC) fended off SMU 29-27 last week. The Bearcats led by 15 points after three quarters, but the Mustangs came within a two-point conversion of tying the game with less than two minutes left.

SMU benefited from 14 Cincinnati penalties for 128 yards.

“We’ve got a lot of self-inflicted issues, and that’s not taking any credit away from the guys we’ve played,” Bearcats coach Luke Fickell said. “We had some issues on false starts again. … We know that those self-inflicted ones that we always talk about are the things that are in some ways holding us back and putting us in some situations that are draining, challenging, trying.”

The Bearcats have won three straight meetings with UCF (5-2, 2-1) for a 4-3 edge in the all-time series. But it was the Knights who gave them their biggest scare in 2020, the first of two straight years they finished the regular season undefeated.

UCF led Cincinnati 14-3 after one quarter and 25-22 after three the last time the Bearcats visited Orlando. Then-quarterback Desmond Ridder helped Cincinnati escape with a 36-33 win.

“It’s gonna be uniquely different this week,” Fickell said of visiting the stadium known as “the Bounce House,” FBC Mortgage Stadium.

“This is our first true challenge since Week 1 to go on the road in a hostile environment and play a great football team. Not taking anything away, like I said, from the teams we played on the road. They haven’t been hostile environments since Week 1, and this will be that.”

Since taking over UCF in 2021, coach Gus Malzahn has praised Cincinnati as one of the best teams in the country, not just the conference. The Knights have a potent offense, but Malzahn was quick to note that the Bearcats lead FBS in both sacks per game (4.14) and tackles for loss per game (9.3).

“Very aggressive defense,” Malzahn said. “They really challenge you and play a lot of man. Then they’ll pressure you and play some zone. Offensively they’re very strong up front, they run the ball, they’ve been balanced. Just overall a complete football team.”

UCF has a top-20 scoring offense in the country (37.3 points per game), aided by a 70-13 rout of Temple two weeks ago. But they are coming off a 34-13 road loss to East Carolina.

Dynamic dual-threat quarterback John Rhys Plumlee had his worst outing of the year. He threw for 296 yards against East Carolina but tossed three interceptions without a touchdown. He was also held to 38 rushing yards on 2.7 per carry.

“We weren’t able to get off the field. They punted one time all night,” Malzahn said of East Carolina. “We turned the ball over three times. You’re not going to beat any quality team like that. So it’s really, you just said it, self-inflicted wounds. To have a chance to beat a team like Cincinnati, it’s common sense — you can’t do that.”

Running back Charles McClelland headlines the Cincinnati offense. He has rushed for 308 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries over the past two weeks.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jadon Thompson (20) is tackled by Southern Methodist Mustangs safety Ahmaad Moses (16) in the second quarter of the American Athletic Conference game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Cincinnati Bearcats At Southern Methodist Mustangs 463

No. 21 Cincinnati holds off SMU comeback attempt

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Charles McClelland rushed for 129 yards on 16 carries and No. 21 Cincinnati survived a late comeback to take down SMU 29-27 on Saturday in Dallas to win its sixth straight game.

Trailing 29-14, SMU (3-4, 1-2 American Athletic Conference) made it a one-possession game when Preston Stone found RJ Maryland for a 16-yard touchdown with 5:09 left to play.

The Mustangs then forced a three-and-out and drove 82 yards in nine plays, with Tyler Lavine scoring from 1 yard out to make it 29-27. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and Cincinnati (6-1, 3-0) ran out the clock to hold on.

McClelland gained the majority of his yardage on a 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, which was the longest run of his career. Ryan Montgomery also scored on the ground for the Bearcats, who have now won six of their seven all-time meetings with SMU.

Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant completed 18 of 35 passes for 200 yards, and Jadon Thompson hauled in four passes for 69 yards. The Bearcats outgained the Mustangs 379-259.

Tanner Mordecai threw for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 15-for-25 passing for SMU (3-4, 1-2). He exited with an undisclosed injury in the third quarter, and Stone took over and threw for 74 yards and a touchdown.

McClelland broke things open early in the second, slicing through the left side of the defense to the end zone for a 17-0 Bearcats lead.

After Cincinnati failed to convert a fourth-and-1, Mordecai connected with Jordan Kerley for a 43-yard gain and TJ McDaniel dashed for a 3-yard touchdown to pull the Mustangs within 17-7.

The Bearcats answered with a 25-yard field goal from Ryan Coe, but Mordecai found Kerley for a 1-yard TD to cap a 13-play, 77-yard drive to make it 20-14 heading into the break.

Coe made good on field goals of 52, 44 and 31 yards coming out of halftime to extend the lead to 15.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Wilson Huber (2) sacks South Florida Bulls quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 24 Cincinnati sweats out home win over USF

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Charles McClelland ran for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and No. 24 Cincinnati sweated out a 28-24 victory over visiting South Florida on Saturday.

McClelland ran in his second touchdown from 35 yards out in the fourth quarter to make the difference.

Cincinnati (5-1, 2-0 AAC) trailed 17-14 at halftime but still pulled out its 30th straight win at home and its 18th straight win over a conference opponent.

Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant was 15-for-21 passing for 178 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions before leaving in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury.

South Florida quarterback Gerry Bohanon completed 10 of 20 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns to Xavier Weaver. Bohanon added 117 rushing yards to lead the Bulls (1-5, 0-2 AAC).

The Bulls opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Brian Battie gained 31 yards on five carries, culminating with a 22-yard touchdown scamper.

Bryant went deep on the Bearcats’ first play on offense, and Aamaris Brown came up with a leaping interception. That led to Spencer Shrader’s 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 South Florida lead.

The Bearcats answered with a quick 75-yard drive in just six plays and 2:31 of game time. Jadon Thompson made three tacklers miss on a 28-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown with 45 seconds left in the quarter.

Bryant hooked up with Nick Mardner for a 14-yard touchdown to give Cincinnati its first lead of the day with 10:27 left in the half. But the Bulls came back with another 75-yard drive, with Bohanon finding Weaver for a 9-yard score to give them a 17-14 lead that stood up at halftime.

Cincinnati started the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive and McClelland dove in from a yard out to put them back in front, 21-17.

The sides traded punts, and South Florida stuffed Cincinnati on a fourth-and-1 attempt at the Bulls’ 12-yard line. On the next play, Bohanon broke off a 52-yard run up the left sideline.

That set up his 16-yard touchdown pass to Weaver on the first play of the fourth quarter, giving the Bulls a 24-21 lead.

McClelland had a wide running lane for his 35-yard touchdown with 9:24 to play.

The Bearcats’ defense swallowed up Battie on a South Florida fourth-and-1 attempt, and Cincinnati managed to run down the rest of the clock.
The Bearcats were also without running back Corey Kiner, who was scratched due to a hand injury.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Alec Pierce (12) catches a short pass in the second quarter of the NCAA football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Syndication The Enquirer

Ben Bryant’s four TD passes propel Cincinnati over Indiana

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Ben Bryant threw four touchdowns in a dominant first half and host Cincinnati rolled to a 45-24 victory over previously unbeaten Indiana on Saturday.

Bryant completed 24 of 40 passes for a career-best 354 yards. He threw three of his four TDs to Tyler Scott and also recorded his third 300-yard passing performance since joining Cincinnati as a transfer from Eastern Michigan after last season.

Scott finished with career highs of 10 receptions for 185 yards. Scott had a 75-yard TD in the first quarter before hauling in a 34-yard scoring pass and a 32-yard TD pass in a span of 4:01 when Cincinnati (3-1) scored three times in the final 4:33 before halftime.

The Bearcats won their third straight and got their second straight win over Indiana in the first meeting in Cincinnati between the schools since 1998.

Indiana’s Connor Bazelak, who began Saturday with the second-lowest completion rate (56.6) in the Big Ten, completed 31 of 66 passes and threw two TD along with two interceptions. He threw over 50 times for the third time in four games.

Indiana running back Shaun Shivers ran 19 times for 79 yards and had a pair of TDs, including a 47-yard rushing score early in the fourth quarter as the Hoosiers (3-1) tried to stage a fourth straight comeback.

After Bryon Threats intercepted Bazelak and returned it 28 yards, the Bearcats took a 3-0 lead on Ryan Coe’s 24-yard field goal with six minutes remaining in the first. Indiana got inside the red zone a little over four minutes later and tied it on a 27-yard field goal by Charles Campbell

Bryant found Scott for their first TD with one minute left in the first and connected with Tre Tucker for a 5-yard TD with about 12:36 minutes to go in the second for a 17-3 lead. Josh Henderson’s 19-yard TD got Indiana within 17-10 midway through the second but the Bearcats began dominating and took a 38-10 lead when Bazelak was sacked by Eric Phillips for an 11-yard loss, fumbled and it was recovered by Dominique Perry for a 14-yard TD with 22 seconds left in the half.

Shivers brought Indiana within 38-17 when he caught a 2-yard pass with 10:23 left in the third before getting his second TD 59 seconds into the fourth.

–Field Level Media

Indiana's Connor Bazelak (9) avoids the sack during the Indiana versus Western Kentucky football game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022. Iu Wk Fb 2h Bazelak 1

At Cincinnati, resilient Indiana aims for 4-0 start

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Indiana is among 33 unbeaten teams and needed three comebacks to keep its record unblemished.

Coming off a nightmarish 10-loss season, a quick start is exactly what Indiana needed but staying unbeaten may prove difficult Saturday when the Hoosiers visit Cincinnati for their final nonconference game.

“Our guys are excited about that,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said of facing a 2021 playoff team. “They do understand that. Our preparation has to reflect that. It’s on our team, the leaders of this team. Talk about guys in those roles right now and that leadership has to elevate itself this week as we continue to grow.”

Indiana (3-0) is seeking a 4-0 start for the second time in three seasons but those quick starts are sandwiched around a 2-10 campaign.

Indiana scored the game-winning touchdown with 23 seconds left to beat Illinois in its season opener, then overcame an early 10-point deficit to beat Idaho in Week 2. Last week, the Hoosiers erased an eight-point deficit, scoring the tying TD with 47 seconds left and kicking the game-winning 51-yard field goal in overtime for a 33-30 win over visiting Western Kentucky.

The rallies have forced Indiana to constantly use its passing game as Connor Bazelak completed 34 of 55 passes for 364 yards last week. His 56.6 percent completion rate is the second-lowest in the Big Ten.

Cincinnati (2-1) is averaging 41.7 points per game and its 17 touchdowns are the most in the AAC. After opening with a 31-24 loss at Arkansas, the Bearcats notched double-digit wins over Kennesaw State and Miami (Ohio).

The Bearcats followed up their 63-10 rout of Kennesaw State by overcoming a 10-point deficit for a 38-17 win over Miami. Ben Bryant threw 337 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Charles McClelland added 101 yards and two rushing TDs.

“We are figuring out what ‘us’ looks like,” Bearcats coach Luke Fickell said. “I think there’s a little bit more of a calm nature than last year.”

Indiana leads the all-time series 8-4-2. The schools are meeting in Cincinnati for the first time since 1998. Last season, the Bearcats intercepted Michael Pennix three times and overcame an early 14-point deficit for a 38-24 victory at Indiana.

–Field Level Media